Chifley police have urged motorists to slow down and travel safely across the Western region during the school holidays. More than 100 lives have been lost on roads across the state in 2018 and police have launched Operation Merret in a bid to slow the road toll. The school holidays begin on Friday at the end of the school day and conclude on Monday, April 30. Chifley Police District Superintendent Paul McDonald said extra traffic was expected on the region’s roads over the next few days. He said police would continue with Merret, an unorthodox and proactive approach to road policing, aimed at educating and empowering the public to make the right decisions on our roads. "Since the start of Operation Merrett, police within Chifley Police District have conducted almost 2000 random breath tests and numerous random drug tests,” Superintendent McDonald said. “We have had 20 injury crashes and one fatal accident in the District.” Superintendent McDonald said despite a high-visibility campaign, too many people were still breaking the law, with 30,000 infringements in the last month. “Whilst most drivers are doing the right thing, there are still contributing factors such as fatigue, speed, complacency and the addition of various wildlife across the district,” he said. “We ask that everyone plan their trips appropriately, drive to the conditions and take care always when out on the road. “There will be an increased visible police presence across the entire Region over the holiday period focusing on speed, fatigue, dangerous and impaired driving.” NSW Police Force Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn called on all road users to take personal responsibility and stay alert on the state’s roads. “While we have seen a lot of positive feedback from the community, it is sad to see that the 30,000+ infringements represent 30,000 people who made a decision to put themselves and others at risk," Deputy Commissioner Burn said. “We are urging all road users to be vigilant and take responsibility for their actions on the road.”

“We have had 20 injury crashes and one fatal accident in the District.”

Superintendent McDonald said despite a high-visibility campaign, too many people were still breaking the law, with 30,000 infringements in the last month.

“Whilst most drivers are doing the right thing, there are still contributing factors such as fatigue, speed, complacency and the addition of various wildlife across the district,” he said.

“We ask that everyone plan their trips appropriately, drive to the conditions and take care always when out on the road.

“There will be an increased visible police presence across the entire Region over the holiday period focusing on speed, fatigue, dangerous and impaired driving.”

NSW Police Force Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn called on all road users to take personal responsibility and stay alert on the state’s roads.

“While we have seen a lot of positive feedback from the community, it is sad to see that the 30,000+ infringements represent 30,000 people who made a decision to put themselves and others at risk," Deputy Commissioner Burn said.

“We are urging all road users to be vigilant and take responsibility for their actions on the road.”